Pilonidal Sinus
What is Pilonidal Sinus
A Pilonidal Sinus (PNS) is a small cyst or abscess that occurs in the cleft at the top of the buttocks. A PNS usually contains hair, dirt, and debris. It can cause severe pain and can often become infected, in which case, it may ooze pus and blood and have a foul odor.
A PNS is a condition that mostly affects men and is also common in young adults. It’s also more common in people with a sitting job.
There are several medical options for pilonidal sinus treatment. They are branched into two:
Pilonidal Sinus Treatment without surgery: If the patient is facing insignificant pain, he/she will be given Painkillers to reduce the pain and anti-inflammatories to nullify the swelling.
Pilonidal Sinus Treatment with surgery: In case the patient is subjected to more bleeding and severe pain, he/she will need to undergo Pilonidal surgery.
Causes & Symptoms
Pilonidal Sinus Causes:
The cause of PNS is believed to be the combination of changing hormones, hair growth, and friction from clothes or from spending a long time sitting. However, The exact cause of the condition is not known.
Activities that cause friction, like sitting, can force the hair growing in the area to burrow back under the skin. The body considers this hair foreign and launches an immune response against it, similar to how it would react when dealing with a splinter. This immune response forms the cyst around your hair.
Pilonidal Sinus Symptoms:
- Formation of more than one sinus tract, or holes in the skin
- Reddened, sore skin around the area
- Pus or blood draining from the abscess, causing a foul odor
- Pain when sitting or standing
- Swelling of the cyst
- Hair protruding from the lesion